.- 1066 



U U I O £.11 "^yJsJ «/ 



Hollinger Corp. 
pH 8.5 



THE TRIPLE WEDDING 



PS 1066 

.B3 T7 

1887 

Copy 1 ~1l drama in THREE ACTS. 




CHARLES BARNARD. 



PRICE, 15 CENTS. 



NEW YORK: 
HAROLD ROORBACH, PUBLISHER, 

9 Murray Street. 



s Single Life. 

* Boarding School. 

3 The Spitfire. 

4 Irish Dragoon. 

5 Srhool for Tigers. 
i Gabrielle ds Belle Isle. 
7 Tipperary Legacy, 
t Deeds of Dreadful Note. 
9 A Peculiar Position. 

JO A Private Inquiry. 
II I'll Tell Your Wife. 

53 Fast Family. 
13 Antony and Cleopatra 

Married and Settled. 

54 My Friend in the Straps. 

15 School for Scheming(Love 

and Money). 

16 Our Mary Anne. 

17 Miseries of Human Life. 
s8 An Irish Engagement. 
19 How to Settle Accounts 

With Your Laundress. 
9o Advice Gratis. 
81 A Hasty Conclusion. 
aa Weak Points. 
33 Grace Darling. 
«4 A Gray Mare. 

55 Middle Temple. 
a6 The Original. 
87 The Sentinel. 
s8 Tiger at Large. 
89 Why Did You Die ? 

30 Sayings and Doings. 

31 Twin Broth«rs. 
3a Ask no Questions. 

33 Cure for Coquettes, 

34 Cabin Boy. 

35 Who Stole the Spoons ? 

36 Mrs.Gamp'sTeaandTurn 

37 Village Doctor. [Out. 

38 Family Pride. 

39 Queen Mary. 

40 Three Grocers. 

41 Race Ball. 
43 Presented at Court. 

43 A Sign of Affection. 

44 Dancing Barber. 

45 Who's Your Friend ? 

46 Charity. 

47 Wicked World. [ingWell 

48 Mother and Child are Do- 

49 Lying in Ordinary. 

50 The Ringdoves, 

51 Camille. 

52 Lady Clancarty. 

53 Ten Nights in a Bar-room 

54 Drunkard's Warning. 

55 Fifteen Years of a 

Drunkard's Life. 
55 Fruits of the Wine Cup. 

57 Aunt Dinah's Pledge. 

58 Yankee Peddler. 

59 Vermont Wool Dealer. 
(y Persecuted Dutchman. 

6 1 Stage-Struck Yankee. 

62 The Limerick Boy (Pad- 

dy Miles' Boy.) 
Cj Drunkard's Home. 



THE ACTING DRAMA. 

PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. 

64 Bachelor's Bed- Room. 

65 Perfection(the Cork Leg) 

66 More Blunders Than One 

67 Whisky Fiend. 

68 Quite at Home. 

69 Sir Dagobert and the 

70 Puttingon Airs. [Dragon 

71 A Slight Mistake. 

72 Patches and Powder. 

73 To Let, Furnished. 

74 The Lost Heir. 

75 Is thfe Man Mad ? 

76 A Trip to Cambridge. 

77 Twenty and Forty. 

78 Hob-Nobbing. 

79 The Great Eastern. 

80 Three Guesses. 

81 Getting up in the World. 

82 Wardrobe. 

83 

84 A Crumpled Rose I^af. 

85 Wild Flowers. [Ladies. 

86 Don't all Speak at Once, 

87 Woman Nature Will Out. 

83 Funnibone's Fix. 

89 Child of Circumstances. 

90 Women's Club. 

91 Shamrock. 

92 The Changelings. 

93 „ . 

94 Matrimony. 

95 Refinement. 

96 Master-piece, 

97 Frenchman. 

98 Punch and Judy. 

99 My Precious Betsy. 
100 Woman of the World, 
loi Rob the Hermit, 
loa Love Master, Love Man. 

103 Inhuman. 

104 Champagne. 

105 H M. S. Pinafore. 

106 Family Pictures. 

107 Prison and Palace. 
loS The Bailiff's Daughter. 
109 La Gigale. 
no Broken Prom.-fs 

111 The Broken Sea.. 

112 Betsy's Profile. 

113 Going Through Hi»ni. 

114 Male and Female. 

115 Thoughts Before Mar- 

116 Diplomacy. [riage. 

117 Our Professor. 
ii3 Hurrah for Paris. 

119 Tittlebat a Father. 

120 Cross Purposes. 

121 Love to Music. 

122 Carried by Assault. 

123 The Locked Door. 

124 Those "Cussed" Waves. 

125 Masquerading for Two. 

126 The Love Flower. 

127 Oh, My Uncle ! 

128 The Dawn of Love. 

129 Juliet's Love Letter. 

130 Bric-a-Brac. 

131 A Cousin to Them All. 



32 The Wanderer's Retara. 

33 Uncle Jack. 

34 The Married Widows. 

35 Foresight: or,MyDaufh- 
ter's Dowry. 

36 Muolo the Monkey, 

37 Too Windy for an Ura« 
brella. 

38 Beauty and the Beast. 

39 Cinderella. 

40 Rosebud ; or, the Sleep* 
ing Beauty. 

41 The Princess. 

42 Rumplestiltskin. 

43 Skinflint. 

44 One Must Marry. 

45 John Smith. 

46 Just Twenty Years Ago, 

47 Pipes and Perdition. 

48 Under the Curse. 

49 Two Drams of Brandy. 

50 Don't Marry a Drunkard 
to Reform Him. 

51 Ralph Coleman's Refor- 
mation. 

52 Who Got the Pig ? 

53 Money Makes the Maa. 

54 Bardell vs. Pickwick. 

56 A Pint of Ale. 

58 Engaged. 

59 My Awful Dad. 

60 Out i.i the Streets. 

61 The Law Allows It. 

62 There's Millions in It, 

63 Tootle Tootle Too. 

64 A Purty Shure Cure. 
6s Let those Laugh who 

Win. 

66 AdarkNoight'sBusine» 

67 A Game of Billiards. 

68 The Village Belle. 

69 Cousin Florence. 

70 I Love Your Wife. 

71 The Dutchmanin Ireland 

72 A Woman Will Be a 
Woman. 

73 Lucy's Love Lesson. 

74 Our Utopia (The Mf 
thetic Cousin). [Stars. 

75 The Daughter of th« 

76 The Stolen Child. 

77 Well Fixed for a Rainy 
Day. 

78 Cross Purposes (A Mis- 
understanding in I act) 

79 The Artist's Stratagem, 

80 Picking up the Pieces, 

81 Lovely. 

82 Irresistibly Impudent. 

83 Love's Young Dream. 

84 Wooing under Difficulties 

85 Rebecca and Rowena. 

86 The Shakespeare Water 

87 Marion Fay. [Cure. 

88 At Sixes and Sevens, 

89 Change Partners. 



Anj' c/the above will be sent by mail on receipt ofthefrice^ by 



P. O. Box 3410. 



HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher, 
SacceMor to Boobbach A Compamt. 

Murray Street, New York, 



The Triple Wedding, 



A DRAMA 



IN THREE ACTS 



BY 



CHARLES BARNARD 



PRINTED FROM THE AUTHOR'S MANUSCRIPT, WITH THE CAST OF CHAR- 
ACTERS, SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COSTUMES, PROPERTY 
AND SCENE PLOTS AND DIAGRAMS, RELATIVE POSITIONS 
OF THE CHARACTERS, STAGE DIRECTIONS, 
ETC., ETC. 



Copyright, 1883, by Charles Barnard. 
Copyright, 1887, by Harold Roorbach. 



NEW YORK: 

HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher 

9 Murray Street. 






\ 



The Triple Wedding. 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 

MONDAY GREENFIELD, - A Self-made Man. 

THEOPULUS VESUVIUS FOGGE, A Lawyer from Australia. 

FREDERICK DAUDLE, - - An Unfledged Author. 

CLIFTON MUDDLE, - - -A Would-be Lawyer. 

CLARA STURGIS, - - - - Leading Lady. 

CECELY, 

SALOME, 

SERVANT, Utility. 



Her Younger Sisters. 



[^' 



S Y N O PS IS.-?'^\^ / 



ACT I. THE TRUST. 

ACT II. THE SEARCH. 

ACT III. THE WEDDING. 



COSTUMES 



CLARA STURGIS. — Act I.— Very plain dress, indicating respect- 
able poverty; partly changed for the better in second half of the act. 
Act II. — Summer walking suit. Act III. — Evening dress; carries 
watch. 

CECELY STURGIS.— Act L— Plain and poor, but neat dress. 
Act II. — Summer walking suit. Act III. — Bridal costume. 

SALOME STURGIS.— Same kind of costume in each Act as 
Cecely's. 

SERVANT.— Very untidy, unkempt dress. 

GREENFIELD. \ Act I. — Ordinary morning or business suits. 

DAUDLE. >- Act II. — Summer traveling suits, hats.and canes. 

MUDDLE. ) Act III.— Black dress suits. 

FOGGE. — Act I. — Business suit, overcoat and hat. Act II. — Sum- 
mer traveling suit with hat. Act III. — Black dress suit. This char- 
acter wears a brown crop wig up to the close of the third act, when 
it is to be pulled off, showing the natural hair made gray by the 
use of rice powder or otherwise. 



The Triple Weddwg, 3 

PROPERTIES. 

ACT I. — Some coarse sewing materials. Lamp on table. Two 
visiting cards. Daguerreotype and letter for Greenfield. Will and 
iegal papers for Fogge. 

ACT II. — Books and papers, letters and writing materials on table. 
Gong or bell outside to strike twelve o'clock. Legal papers for Fogge. 
Telegram. 

ACT in. — Two bank checks. A marriage certificate. 



Explanation of the Stage Directions. 

R., means first entrance right, and right. L., first entrance left, and 
left, S.E.R., second entrance right. S.E.L., second entrance left, 
T.E.R., third entrance right. T.E.L., third entrance left. F.E.R., 
fourth entrance right. F.E.L., fourth entrance left. U.E.R., upper 
entrance right. U.E.L., upper entrance left. R.F., right flat. L.F., 
left flat. R.C., right of centre. L.C., left of centre. C., centre. 
C.D., centre doors. C.R., centre towards right. C.L., centre towards 
left. Observing you are supposed to face the audience. 

SCENERY. 
ACT I. 



INTER/OR BACKING. 
C D.. 



CK««tQ 



I.E.R, 



D 

D 

TABLE. 



□ CK. 



LE.L, 




Scene : — A Plainly Furnished Lodging Room in a City Tenement. 
Old table and two cane chairs,C. Chair,behind table. Some coarse sew- 
ing materials and lamp on table. Entrances, first R. and L., and at back. 



The Triple Wedding. 



ACT IT. 



GARDEN BAGKina 
O. D. 



O 



BOOK OA.&e. 



CHAIR. [ I 



lE.R. 



D 

TABLE 



I [chair. 



t.E.L. 




Scene : — A Country Boarding House. Room opening at back, on 
piazza, with view of garden. Neatly furnished. Table and two 
chairs, C. Sofa up stage, R. Bookshelf up stage, L. Doors open 
at back. Entrances, first R. and L., and at back. 



ACT III. 



<> 



INTERIOR BAOKINa. 






^oTA. I 



I.E.R. 



>eA5V CHAIR. 



CA&y c 



MA>R.<^\ 




Scene : — A Wedding Reception Room. Entrances, first R. and L., 
and at back. Piano, stool and stand, R., up stage. Sofa, L., up 
stage. Easy chairs, R. and L., down stage. 



The Triple Wedding. 



ACT I. 

THE TRUST 



Scene : A Plainly Furnished Lodging Room in a City 
Tenement. Old Table and Three Cane Chairs. 
Some Coarse Sewing Materials and Lamp on Table. 
Entrances, First Right and Left and at Back. 
Time : Night in Winter. 

Curtain discovers Salome and Cecely Sturgis seated by 
table sewing. Both plainly dressed. 

Salome. [ Wearily. '\ Oh, I'm so tired. I hate poverty. 
I'd give anything or do anything to be rich. 

Cecely. It is not much we can give. Nobody cares to 
marry a poor girl. 

Sal. \_Shivers as if cold.'] Get my shawl, deary. It's 
dreadfully cold here. 

Cec. You forget, sister, we ate the shawl for breakfast. 
Clara sold it yesterday, and the money paid for our milk 
and oatmeal. It was a rather thin diet, in spite of its 
origin. I called the oatmeal the shawl, and the milk the 
trimmings. It was a pity you had a square shawl, for the 
meal didn't go round. 

Sal. What do you mean .? 

Cec. Why, sister Clara had no breakfast. 



6 The Triple Weddii\g. 

Sal. No breakfast — nothing to eat? 

Cec. Not a thing. She pretended she wasn't hungry. 
She starved herself to help us. 

Sal. Do you think Mr. Greenfield intends to marry 
Clara .? 

Cec. \^Rises.'\ I'd die before I would marry a man 
called Monday — or take in plain sewing, which is only 
dying to slow music. [^Earnestly. Takes s/age.] Oh ! 
Everything is put together with a lock-stitch. I can't un- 
ravel our seam. I can only sigh. [Sings.] Sigh for a man — 
sigh for a man — 

Sal. My love ! 

Cec. [Singing.] Sigh for a man — sigh for a mansion 
and a carriage. 

Enter Clara a/ back. Appears pale and weary. Very 
poorly dressed. 

Sal. [Rising, throwi?ig down her work, and kissing Clara. ] 
Oh, you precious sister — you little mother ! To think that 
you had no breakfast ! 

Cla. That was a small affair, deary. [Takes up work.] 
Not done yet.'* 

Cec. There are thirty-two more button-holes to be made, 
and it's nearly eight o'clock. 

Cla. [Dropping the work wearily.] What does it matter } 
Four cents for a dozen button-holes. [Bitterly.] A dozen 
or two, more or less, will not help us much. Dearies, thje 
end has come ! This is the worst pass we have come to 
since father and mother died. I paid all I could on ac- 
count of the rent to-day, and this is our last night here. I 
have sold everything. No. There is your mother's por- 
trait in the next room. I shall sell that to-morrow, and 
then — [Pause?^ 

Sal. I do wish our case could be laid before a jury. 



The Triple Weddmg. 7 

Cec. [To Salome.] Too much law has made you mad, 
Salome. Better think less of Mr. Muddle and more of our 
position. He doesn't mean anything. He wilU never 
marry a poor g-irl. 

Sal. [ Wtlh spirit. ] You needn't edit me, Cecely Sturgis. 
I daresay your Mr. Daudles intentions are like his books — 
not published yet. 

Cla. Oh, girls ! How can you } Neither of the young 
men who call on you are able to marry, and I sometimes 
have grave doubts of their sincerity. 

^^^Xllndignantly.^ Oh ! Oh ! 

Enter slatternly Servant R. 

Serv. {^Laying cards on table.} Two men to see yez. [Exit 
Servant R.} 

Cla. [^Reading cards.] Mr. Daudle and Mr. Greenfield. 
[Pleased. ] My dears, the natural man has a weakness for 
good clothes. I go to put on such gorgeous raiment as 
my poverty permits. [Exit Z.] 

Sal. [Inspecting her dress — to Cecely.] Do you think 
that darned place in my skirt will show? 

Cec. [Rornyied.] Oh! Oh! 

Sal. Mercy ! What have I done ? 

Cec. [Laughs.] Nothing, you dear innocent. The na- 
tural depravity of the English language is too much for 
you — that's all. [Exit back.] 

Sal. The spiteful thing ! She prides herself on her lan- 
guage just because her lover wants to be an author. I 
would like to see the thing laid before a jury. [Exit 
back.] 

Enter Daudle and Greenfield R. 

Daud. [Speaking as he eiiters.] Literature, sir, is one of 
the noblest of the professions. I mean to follow it as a 



8 The Triple Wedding. 

business. It elevates the mind, clears the heart and softens 
the head. 

Green. How comes on your new book ? 

Daud. Well, you see, I have not yet decided on the 
style in which I shall write. There is the diffusive-didactic 
style, and the closely-connected-colloquial style. Which 
do you prefer? 

Green. A man who means business makes his own 
style. 

Daud. That's just what Miss Cecely says. She said to 
me yesterday, that if she (meaning me) had anything to 
say, she would say it. 

Green. Then I wonder she (I mean you) don't. It 
seems to me you are playing a rather sorry game here in call- 
ing on these girls when you cannot marry either of them. 

Daud. [^Offended.'] Indeed, sir, and may I inquire what 
are your intentions concerning these poor girls.? 

Green. I'm glad you put it that way. They are poor 
and I'm well off. I hope to marry one of them — if she will 
accept so unfortunate a man as I. 

Daud. Your style is paradoxical, at any rate. 

Green. No doubt. I'll make it clear. They call me Mon- 
day Greenfield. I have no other name. I was born on a 
frosty Monday morning in the Greenfield Asylum. I got 
the narfie in derision. I never saw my father or mother. 
I have an old daguerreotype. [^Takes out picture.'] There it 
is. [^Shows it to Daudle. ] That is supposed to be my 
father. The picture was found sewed into the bosom of 
my mother's dress. 

Daud. {Looking at picture. ] It looks like Cecely. 

Green. [Takes picture and looks at it.] I never noticed it 
before. There is a suggestion of her expression. Quite 
accidental, of course. [Ptits it away. Takes out letter.] 
There is part of an old letter, also found among my 



The Triple Wedding. 9 

mother's effects. No name signed, but it appears to be 
written by the man who was my father. Who he was or 
whether he really married her or not I never knew. The 
letter seems to hint that he did not marry her. [Puts the 
letter in pocket. ] I keep it safe. [Significantly. ] I'm look- 
ing for that man. Now, I put it to you, have I a right, 
with all my wealth, to seek any girl's hand .? 

Daud. Yes; you worked your way up from the orphan 
asylum. Any woman would be glad to marry the richest 
mill owner in town. 

Green. But not IMonday Greenfield, the waif. 

Enter Clara Z. Partly changed dress. 

Cla. [Bows to Davdi.^ and taJiesGKETL^Yi'Ei.Ti's hand. ^ Good 
evening, gentlemen. [7b Greenfield. ] I'm very glad you 
have come. [To Daudle. ] Salome and Cecely are in the 
next room, sewing, Mr. Daudle. Will you find your way 
to them ? 

Daud. [Moves up.] Thank you. I came to see Miss 
Cecely. [Exit bacfi. ] 

Cla. [To Greenfield,] Have you learned anything more 
about these young gentlemen .? 

Green. I hear they have no visible means of support, 
and depend wholly on their parents. They are not bad or 
vicious, but merely idle and selfish. 

Cla. I'm glad it is no worse. However, it makes no 
difference. To-morrow we shall move, and they will not 
follow us. 

Green. Why must you give up this comfortable flat .? 

Cla. Because I cannot pay the rent. 

Green. [Takes her arm.'] Now, Clara, this has gone far 
enough. It is time we understood each other. You know 
my history .? 

Cla. I know it well enough to respect you, sir. 



10 The Triple Wedding 

Green. {^Earnestly.'] Respect! Can you give me nothing 
more than respect, Clara 

Enter Servant R. abruptly, followed by Fogge. 

Serv. [7b Fogge.] That's Miss Sturgis, mister. It's 
lucky you came to-night, for she has got to clear out to- 
morrow. [Exit Servant.] 

Fogge. Beg pardon ! Any party named Sturgis live 
here .? 

Green. [Presenting Clara.] This is Miss Sturgis, sir. 
Can we be of any service } 

Fog. [Staring at Clara. Aside.^ Found at last ! [To 
Clara.] You have your uncle's nose. Important point in 
the case. Your father's name was John } Your mother was 
a Mann .? 

Cla. My mother's name was Anna Elizabeth Mann. 
Mann with two n's. 

Fog. [Takes off things and sits R.] Just so. I'm glad 
of it. Excuse me if I take a chair. I've traveled 15,000 
miles, and broke my leg, and been shipwrecked on a 
desert island for six months, and all for the sake of seeing 
you. I call it deep devotion. 

Green. It is, sir. We rather admire it, and will be glad 
to tell you so when you inform us who you are. 

Fog. [Aside.'] Lovers! They'll be married within a 
week when they hear the news. [Direct.^ That is im- 
portant, I admit. I am Theopulus Vesuvius Fogge, Attor- 
ney at Law, Melbourne, Australia. I knew your uncle, 
miss. Tough customer. We called him the American 
savage. Bless your soul ! good at heart — good as gold. 
Had it too, in plenty. Made it in sheep. 

Cla. Are you from my uncle, Edward Mann — my 
mother's only brother 1 I hope he is well ? 

Fog. Yes, miss, he is well — that is, he is better off than 



The Triple Wedding. ii 

ever before. [Points upwards and raises his eyes solemnly.'] 
He's changed his cHmate. 

Cla. Oh ! how sad ! Poor man ! And he sent you to 
tell us ? 

Fog. Yes, ma'am. He instructed me to come to Amer- 
ica and find you and give you his property — a little matter 
of 50,000 pounds — and here I am. The money is in trust 
— for his son. 

Cla. His son, sir } I never knew Uncle was married, 
much less that I had a cousin. 

Fog. [Rises.] To make the story short, this money is in 
trust for the boy till the first of next June. If you fail to 
find him by noon of that day the money is all yours. Tve 
been a whole year coming half round the world to find 
you. If you will call one of your servants to show me 
the way to the hotel, I'll get the proper documents. 

Green. I'll go with you to the hotel, sir. 

Cla. [To Greenfield.] Thank you, Monday. That was 
kind in you. 

Fog. [Aside.] Monday ! What a queer name. Who 
can the young man be .? He reminds me of some one. I 
wish she'd introduce him. 

Cla. [Presenting Greenfield.] Allow me to present my 
friend, Mr. Monday Greenfield. [Gentlemen how distantly to 
each other.] 

Fog. [Aside.] Greenfield ! It was there she died. 

Cla. Mr. Greenfield will return with you ; and if there 
are any business matters to be arranged, he will represent 
me in them. [Greenfield turns to speak to Clara.] 

Fog. [Aside.] I knew they were lovers. [To Green- 
field.] I'm ready, Mr. Sunday. [7b Clara.] We shall re- 
turn in a few moments. 

Cla. I shall be here with my sisters. 

Fog. Are there sisters ? 



12 The Triple Wedding, 

Green. Miss Sturgis has two younger sisters. 

Fog. The American savage never mentioned them. I 
dare say they w^ere born after he left home. Have 'em out 
I'd Hke to see how they stand the shocking news I bring. 
Fifty thousand pounds and a lost boy. 

Exit FoGGE and Greenfield R. 

Cla. \^Solus.^^ Thank Heaven ! It is not too late. Now 
that our poverty is at an end, I feel its sting. Poor Uncle ! 
He led a sad, wild life, but he made amends at the end. 
He must have repented. If he has left a child it shall be 
found. 

Enter Salome at hack. 

Sal. [Comes down — bitterly.^ I hate it. I hate it. Oh, 
sister, why are we so poor .? Mr. Daudle made fun of my 
darned skirt. 

Cla. [Kisses her.] Bless you, deary, we are not so 
dreadfully poor. 

Sal. Anyway, you went without breakfast this morn- 
ing. 

Cla. I never did like oatmeal. [Embj-aces her.] Oh, 
you little simpleton ! Can't you see how happy I am .? 
Behave with dignity now, while I give you some dread- 
ful news. Your poor — no, your rich uncle in Australia is 
dead. 

Sal. Mother's brother, who ran away .? 

Cla. Yes. He died more than a year ago, and a man 
has been here who says Uncle left me a large estate in 
trust for his son — our cousin. 

Sal. Isn't it to be all your own .? 

Cla. I believe not. It is for the son ; but now that we 
have one loving relative, we can go to him, and he 
will help us find a place where we can earn a living. 



The Triple Wedding. 13 

Sal. [^Disappointedr\ Earn a living! I don't want to 
earn a living. I want a nice house and a carriage, and 
all that. I think Uncle behaved shamefully, and I do wish 
it could be laid before a jury. 

Enter Servant R. 

Serv. Mr. Muddle, to see the ladies. [Exit Servant.] 
Cla. [7b Salome.] Here's your judge, at any rate. 

Enter :\Ik. Muddle R. 

Mud. [Comes dozv?i.] Good evening, ladies. [To Sa- 
lome. ] Glad to see you, Salome. 

Sal. Oh, Clifton, such jolly news ! Uncle has died — I 
never knew him, you know — and left Clara a lot of money. 

Mud. [F/eased.] Indeed ! I congratulate you. Have 
you the legal documents here ? 

Cla. [To IMuDDLE.] Salome is a trifle hasty, Mr. Muddle. 
The property is all in trust. 

Mud. [Bejec/ed.] Ah! that's bad — very bad. [Offers 
card to Clara.] Take my card. Miss Sturgis. You may 
need the advice of a legal friend. 

Enter Servant, who holds the door open, R. 

Cla. [To Muddle.] Thank you, sir. I have already 
secured an attorney. Here comes my uncle's representa- 
tive. 

Enter Greenfield and Fogge. Exit Servant R. 

Fog. [Conies to table and takes out papers — others gather 
round — speaks to Clara. ] This thing is very plain. There 
is your uncle's will, in his own handwriting. By this doc- 
ument the sum of 50,000 pounds is to be paid to you for 
his son, with this provision : If you do not find the boy by 



14 TJie Triple Wedding. 

noon of the first day of June, you are to keep all the 
money. Of course, you are to use all due diligence 
in searching for the child. 

Cla. I will do my best, you may be sure. 

Fog. If the boy is found, he is to pay you for your 
trouble. Your uncle thought I should tind you within two 
months, and that would give time for the search. But I 
slipped and fell, and was laid up three months with a 
broken leg. When I did start the steamer lost her screw 
and drifted about in a dead calm till she ran ashore on a 
desert island. We spent six months on that island, living 
chiefly on oysters in all styles, till a ship picked us up and 
set me down in San Francisco, and here I am with the 
trust nearly run out. I suppose we need no further proof 
that you are the right Clara Sturgis ? 

Cla. Oh, now I think of it, my mother and my uncle 
were twins, and much alike. I have my mother's portrait 
in the next room. Suppose you look at it .^ 

Fog. \^Rises and leaves papers on table. ] Good idea ! 
Let's see if she looks like the savage as I saw him on his 
ranch. 

Cla. \_Moves up.'] Come this way. [Exit Clara al back, 
followed by Fogge, Salome a?id Greenfield.] 

Mud. {^Lingering behind and looking slyly at papers on 
table.] It's the biggest thing out. [Tries to read papers.] 
Can't make head or tail of it. [Lays papers down.'] I 
suppose it's all straight. Rather fancy I'm in for a good 
thing. 

Re-enter Greenfield at back, with daguerreotype in his 
hand, much excited in manner. Does not observe 
Muddle. 

Mud. [Aside. Avoiding Greenfield] Hallo ! What's 
up? Mr. Monday been drinking.? [Exit slyly at back.] 



The Triple Wedding. 15 

Green. ySolusA^ I knew it in an instant. The two por- 
traits are as near alike as a man and woman can be. Ah ! 
The letter ! The letter ! [^Puts away picture and has/ily pulls 
out letter and compares it with handwriting of will on table.'] 
It is the same. Every letter is alike. Edward Mann. 
Edward Mann. Not a bad name after all. Ah ! Then 
I've found the scoundrel. I am the son — the property is 
mine. And Clara — my Clara — Cousin Clara ! Poor old 
father ! I can forgive him now. Cousin Clara — my Clara 
— my wife ! Ah ! here come the young vampires. They 
smell the money already. [Moves to leftfront?^ 

Enter Muddle and Daudle at hack. 

Daud. What will you do now .? 

Mud. Sail in, of course. 

Daud. So shall I. Half a dollar to one cent that I'll be 
engaged first. 

Mud. Taken. [-S'ees Greenfield. Aside.] Lookout! 
That old cat is on hand. He'll have the whole boodle, if 
we don't look sharp. 

Daud. Oh, I see him. Confound him ! [Moves to J?.] 

Re-enter Clara, Fogge, Salome and Cecely. Fogge to 
centre behind table. Clara to R. of table. Salome to R., 
up stage. Cecely to L. , up stage. 

Fog. There is nothing more to be done, but to sign the 
preliminary papers. Ah ! Wait a bit. There is one mat- 
ter on which I must seek legal advice. 

Mud. [Advances to L. and at R. ^ Clara. Confidently.] 
Perhaps I can help you, I am a lawyer. 

Fog. [Looks at hi}?L suspiciously.] Ah ! Glad to meet 
you, sir. It's only a trifling affair and I hardly like to 
trouble you. 



1 6 The Triple Wedding. 

Cla. {Presents Mumdle.] This is Mr. Muddle, a friend 
of the family. I dare say he can help you. 

Fog. Ah, thanke. [Tb Muddle, j Do legal papers have 
to be stamped in this country .? 

Mud. No ; I believe not. Yes. On the whole, I think 
they do. 

Fog. You don't know, sir. You're no lawyer at all. 

Green. No stamps will be required. 

Fog. Ah, thanke. {To Clara.] You solemnly promise 
faithfully to carry out the requirements of this testament, 
and diligently to search for the lost child } 

Cla. I do. {To Greenfield.] You will help me, will 
you not .? With your aid, the boy can be found and re- 
stored to his own. 

Green. {Hesitating. ^^ It is just possible the boy does not 
care for his own. 

Fog. {To Greenfield.] Don't be a fool, man ! The 
poor little devil may be dying to find this pretty girl with 
a pot full of money. Of course, you will assist in hunting 
up the little wretch. 

Green. It will be useless. The boy will never be 
found. 

Tableau. 

FOGGE. 

Clara. Green. 

Sal. Cec. 

Mud. Daud. 

Curtain. 



The Triple Wedding. 17 



ACT II. 

THE SEARCH. 

Scene : A Country Boarding House. Room Opening at 
Back on Piazza, with View of Garden. RooiM neatly 
Furnished. Table at Centre covered with Papers. 
Doors open at Back. Entrances First Right and 
Left, and Back. Time : First of June, in the 
Morning. 

Curtain discovers Clara at table looking over papers. Her 
hat on table, near by. Summer dress. 

Clara. Where can the wretched youngster be t He's a 
most troublesome child. I cannot find him. Inquiries, 
advertisements, detectives, everything in vain. [Takes up 
old letter.'] Here is the only clew. She lived in this vil- 
lage at one time. The records of the village church tell me 
she was married here — and perhaps she died here. 

Enter Salome at back in walking suit. 

Sal. Why do you worry over those wretched papers ? 
You would drag us up to this poky place, and what have 
you found } 

Cla. I have found that Uncle really married the boy's 
mother, and that is something. 

Sal. You haven't found the boy. Mr. Greenfield was 
right. He said you would never find him ; and to-day is 
the first of June. 

Cla. It makes no difference, I shall not give up the 
search. While I live, I shall think of the money as his. 



1 8 The Triple Wedding. 

Sal. [Comes nearer?^ Mr. Muddle is coming to-day, 
deary ; and he wants me to say when it shall be, and 
I've turned and turned my thing-s until they are quite worn 
out. 

Cla. I cannot help you, sister. Mr. Greenfield and Mr. 
Fogge both said I might use some of the money for our 
support while we kept up the search. I can give you no 
more money. 

Sal. [Angrily.'] You're a little goose, Clara ! Don't I 
tell you Mr. Muddle says the money will be legally yours 
to-day .? 

Cla. I shall never think of the money as mine till I find 
the boy or his grave. 

Sal. [Takes stage, angry. '\ YouVe a — a hateful thing! 
[Begins to cry. ] Mr. Muddle will soon be here, and you 
know my hat is — is perfectly — perfectly disgraceful. You're 
perfectly heartless and selfish — you know my blue serge 
is — I declare, I've no patience with your finicky notions 
about duty and all that rubbish. 

Cla. I dare say not, Salome. You see everything now 
through legal glasses. I fear, my love, they are a trifle 
smoky. 

Sal. [At door at L. ] Oh, you — you spiteful thing. Ah, 
I wish it only could be laid before a jury. [Exit in a pet, L. ] 

Cla. [Sadly — sits and takes up papers. ] Money is decid- 
edly a bitter root. It has brought the first quarrel between 
sisters. Oh, Salome, if the money were rightfully mine, 
you should share the last dollar. [Pauses.] Why did I not 
think of that before .? If she died here, she may be buried 
here. [Takes up hat, as if to go out.] Perhaps the sleepers 
on the hill can tell. I will go and sit among them. If she 
sleeps there she may hear me. She must have loved the 
boy. She must know where he is now. It's just possible 
she will whisper something in silence to my heart. [Moves 
up.] 



The Triple Wedding, 19 

Enter Cbxely R. Sum??ier suit, 

Cec. Oh, Clara! Clara! wait a moment. Mr. Daudle 
will be here in a few minutes. I have just time to run 
over to the village store. I really ought to have a new 
sash. 

Cla. I have no money, deary. The expenses of the 
search have been so great that we really must economize. 

Cec. Why, Mr. Daudle says all the money will be 
yours to-day. 

Cla. I shall not take it. I shall insist on Mr. Greenfield 
or Mr. Fogge as trustees of the property. I shall take 
only enough to live upon till I can find something to do. 

Cec. [Angrily.'] You're — a little fool, Clara. 

Cla. Sister! 

Cec. I don't care. You're enough to try a saint, and I 
hnte you. [Exit R., slamming the door.] 

Cla. Poor girls ! It is hard for them to be denied every- 
thing. Now I will speak — in silence — to the sleeper on the 
hill. [Exit hack. ] 

Enter Daudle and Muddle, Z., in traveling suits. 

Daud. I congratulate you, my boy. This is the last 
day, and I am glad of it — so is my tailor. The fact is, 
there is nothing quite so soothing to the finer instincts of 
my nature as a little ready money. 

Mud. Yes, sir. The legal aspect of the world is greatly 
improved by a good financial backing. What do you think 
she will do for us.? 

Daud. Oh, she's a good girl and loves her sisters — and 
so do we. Shouldn't wonder if she divided the whole plum 
on the spot. 

Mud. Thirds ! Give 'em thirds ! I never knew how 
dear my Salome had become to me. 



20 The Triple Wedding. 

Daud. Well, my Cecely is rather precious, you may bet 
your bottom dollar. She's a noble girl — sweet tempered, 
amiable and — three into fifty thousand — one and carry two 
— sixteen thousand pounds. 

Mud. A little matter of eighty thousand dollars more 
or less, if that rascally mill owner does not put in his 
oar. 

Daud. Never you fear him. His mother had no name. 
He does not dare to offer himself, with all his money. 

Enter Cecely, R. 

Cec. [To Daudle, J Oh, Frederick! I'm so glad you 
have come, I've such dreadful news. [To Muddle.] Morn- 
ing, Mr. Muddle ! Salome will be here soon. {To Daudle.] 
Just think, Clara refuses to touch the money. 

Mud. She must. It is legally hers, and she must be 
forced to take it. 

Daud. This will never do. Where is she? We must 
appeal to the nobler instincts of her nature. She has a 
soft head and a clear heart. She will not turn a cold ear 
to our despairing cry — 

Cec, Oh, Freddy ! You have such a delightfully liquid 
style. You'll be sure to move her. Let us find her at 
once. 

Mud. I fancy, if the legal aspects of the case are laid 
before her, she will at once consent to divide. 

Cec. Divide.? Divide what.? {To Daudle.] What 
does he mean ? 

Daud. [To Cecely] Never mind, dearest. Where's 
your sister.? [Aside to Muddle.] Don't be a fool and a 
lawyer, too. 

Cec. {Mov:s up.] She's taken her hat. I dare say 
she's in the garden. Let's go find her. 



The Triple Wedding. 21 

Daud. {_To Cecely.] You mustn't mind what Clifton 
says. He has an acute legal mind, but he has no command 
of style. When we meet Clara, let me do the talking. 
[Exeunt all at hack. ] 

Enter Greenfield and Fogge Z. Traveling suits. 

Green. You understand my wishes in the matter .? 

Fog. Perfectly, sir. I accept your proofs that you are 
the son, and I admire your disposal of the property. The 
money is to be paid to the yomig lady according to the 
terms of my will. 

Green. My father s will. 

Fog. [Recovers himself.'] Oh, yes. To be sure. Your 
father's will. Slip of the tongue — that's all. And now 
you propose to let the money go by default to your 
cousin, just as though you had never been found. I de- 
clare, my boy, it does you credit. Your old father is — I 
mean w^ould be proud of you if he — well — well ! You 
mustn't mind the ravings of an old attorney whose heart 
has grown dusty among his legal papers. 

Green. [Looks off back.] Here comes my cousin now. 
[Moves to L. ivhile Fogge moves to R.] 

Enter Clara at hack. Comes quickly down to centre. 

Cla. [To Greenfield.] Oh, Mr. Greenfield ! I'm very 
glad you have come. I have important news for you. [To 
Fogge.] Good morning, sir. You, too, will be interested 
in the matter. I have one more clew about the lost 
child. 

Fog. Just the way ! A woman always finds something 
to upset the best laid plans. Have you found the poor little 
devil 1 

Cla. No ; only his mother's grave. 



22 The Triple Wedding. 

Green. [Surprised.''^ Her grave ! My mother ! [Trying 
to recover Jmnsel/.^ Excuse me. I was thinking of my 
own mother. 

Fog. [Aside.'] A worthy son. I can't stand this much 
longer. [Straightens himself up.] Steady in the ranks ! 

Cla. You know, I came up here because I learned from 
my father's papers that poor Uncle lived here at one 
time. 

Green. I'm glad you came. I was born in this village. 

Cla. Then you know the little cemetery on the hill. I 
found an old man at work there. He remembered my 
Aunt and took me to her grave, and here comes the strang- 
est part of all. It has just been marked with a new stone, 
put up, the man said, by a stranger only a few days ago. 
Her name is upon it freshly cut and with the date of her 
death. 

Fog. You don't imagine she has other friends or relatives 
living .? 

Cla. No ; I cannot think who could have done it. Per- 
haps the son is living. Oh ! That must be it ! The son 
has done it ! 

Green. The son knows nothing about it. 

Cla. Why not .? How do you know .? 

Fog. [Interposing, to Clara.] My dear Miss Sturgis, 
what you say seems strange, but no doubt it can be fully 
explained by and by. . At present we must attend to busi- 
ness and you can investigate the other matter. I must re- 
turn home in a few days and this affair of your Uncle's 
will must be wound up. 

Cla. Yes, yes, but that is not all. I searched the register 
in the Town Hall and I found — 

Green. [Excited.] What did you find.? 

Cla. The date of her marriage. [Greenfield sits by table 
overcome with emotion. Clara concerned.] Oh, Mr. Green- 
field, pardon me ! pardon me ! It was unkind in me to 



The Triple Wedding. 23 

trouble you with these sad things. Of course, you sympathize 
with the poor woman. I am glad for the boy's sake that 
the doubt over his mother's name is cleared away. I feel 
now that I care more than ever for him 

Fog. {To Clara.] Never you mind him, Miss. It's a 
fearfully hot day, and on the way up we had — some lemon- 
ade — it always affects him. It flew to his head. He can't 
stand such things — the sugar was too strong. 

Green. {Rises with an effort. ] It is nothing serious. I 
am perfectly well. I am very happy now — more happy 
than ever before in my life. Come ! Where are your pretty 
sisters ? Call them both. We need their smiles upon our 
business meeting. 

Cla. {Moves up. ] They may be in the garden. I'll call 
them. [Exit at hack. ] 

Green. {To Fogge. ] You must pardon me, sir ; I never 
knew before that my mother was married. I never knew 
before where she slept. {Moves up. ] I must go and see 
the place. 

Fog. {Going a/ter him.] No, stay here. The vultures 
are gathered to the feast. The callow lawyer and the un- 
fledged author are coming. {Speaks off.] Welcome, my 
gentle lovers. I fear you will find two can play at that 
game. 

Green. How so.? 

Fog. {Aside to Greenfield.] What prevents you now 
from marrying Miss Clara.? Good, straightforward girl. 
Said she cared for the boy and you are the boy. 

Enter Clara, followed by Daudle a/td Cecely, a?id Muddle 
and Salome. Clara to centre. Daudle and Cecely to R. 
IMuDDLE and Salome to L. fust here the village clock 
outside strikes twelve. 

Fog. There she goes. Twelve o'clock— first day of 



24 The Triple Weddirig. 

June and my duty's done. I'm glad you found your sis- 
ters, Miss Sturgis. We must have plenty of witnesses when 
the plot against your happiness is unfolded. 

Daud. [Aside.] What the devil does the fellow mean.? 

Fog. [Takes out papers.] The time is up and we will 
proceed to business. According to the terms of your 
Uncle's will, the money is now yours. [Daudle and 
Muddle secretly elated. Salome and Cecely openly pleased. ] 

Cla, Oh, no, no ! I cannot take it ; it belongs to my 
cousin. I shall some day find him, and then what can I 
say if I have spent his property } 

Fog. He would have no legal claim on you. I dare say 
the old savage guessed the boy would never be found. 
[Muddle nods approval. ] If he is anything like his father, 
he has made a fortune of his own by this time. 

Cla. [7l9 Greenfield. ] What do you think .? Shall I ever 
find him .? 

Green. It seems hopeless. I fear the boy will never be 
found. [Muddle and Daudle urge Salome and Cecely to go 
to Clara.] 

Sal. [Crosses to Clara.] Take it, deary. Why should 
you care for this unknown cousin ^ 

Cla. But I do care for him. I have thought of him day 
and night, and wished I might find him. Poor, forlorn 
little boy ! I have begun to love him. [Greenfield drops 
his handkerchief or cane with an exclamation, and Fogge 
coughs significantly.] 

Fog. [Aside.] Lucky dog ! [Cecely crosses to Clara, 
and urges her to take the money by signs.] 

Green, I think you may take the property. If ever 
your cousin should want money, you can help him to the 
full extent of your generosity. 

Cla. Then I will accept. Must I sign any papers.? 

Fog. [Off ej'ing papers.] Yes; sign here. [Clara s/^;2S 
papers and then moves up and speaks to her sisters. Daudle 



The Triple Wedding. 25 

shaken hands with her and then crosses to L. near Muddle. 
Shakes hands with him. Fogge /o/ds up papers.'] 

Enter Servant, R. 

Ser. [Offers letter. '\ Telegram for Mr. Greenfield. [Gives 
it to Greenfield and theft Exit R. ] 

Green. [Reads telegram.] Oh ! this is too bad — too bad. 

Cla. What has happened, sir.? Have you lost anything ? 

Green. I was thinking of my work-people. There are 
over three hundred of them depending on my mill for a 
living. The mill was burned down last night. [To Fogge, 
aside. ] I suppose I must use a part of the money at once 
to help my workmen. 

Fog. [Surprised, aside to Greenfield.] Part of the 
money, sir.'' 

Green. [Aside to Yogge.] Why, yes. Part of my inheri- 
tance. I haven't a dollar now in the world. [Clara and 
sisters deepty concerned.] 

Daud. [Elated. J sz'g?^ /o Muddle. ] The fellow is pretty 
badly winged. 

Mud. I'm particularly glad of it. [Aside to T)\vdi.e.] 

Fog. [7(> Greenfield.] It is too late. She has signed 
the papers. She has your money. 

Tableau. 

Clara. 

Cec. Sal. 

Fog. Mud. 

Green. Daud. 

Curtain. 



26 The Triple Wedding. 



ACT III. 

THE WEDDING. 

Scene : A Wedding Reception Room. Entrances, First 
Right and Left, and at Back. Piano, if Convenient. 
Rich Furniture. Time : Night. 

Curtain discovers Cecely and Salome dressed as brides. 
Song may he introduced here by one o/ the ladies if 
desired. 

Salome. [After song. Taking stage and admiring her 
dress.'] There is something perfectly deHcious in a 
train. 

Cecely, [Admiring her dress.] A little real satin goes 
a great way to make life endurable. Do you think that 
ridiculous lawyer from Australia will come ? 

Sal. I'm more concerned about Clifton. I've a haunt- 
ing suspicion he won't come. I'm sure if there is a time 
when a man is really wanted it is at his wedding. 

Cec. [Studying her dress.] Vm so glad the material 
will turn. It will make a good street dress a year from 
now, if poor Daudle's book should fail. 

Sal. Oh, I don't bother about money. Clara will 
take care of us. [Looks off R. ] Oh ! here come the 
grooms. 

Enter Daudle and Muddle, dressed as grooms, R. 

Daud. The occasion is auspicious. I hear some of the 



The Triple Wedding. 27 

guests are beginning to arrive. I feel I ought to write a 
poem on it. 

Cec. {Takes his arm.'] No, sir ; none of your poems just 
now, if you please. You'll be mooning round the house, 
tearing your hair for a rhyme, and nobody will be able 
to find you. Marriage is prose, and you had better attend 
to me and let style go. 

Mud. {To Daudle.] She's got the law on you, my boy. 
Better keep quiet. 

Sal. [7b Muddle.] No special pleading just now. The 
judge is in the next room and the jury are beginning to 
assemble. You are up for sentence. 

Daud. Suppose we go and see the presents } 

Sal. Yes, do : I'm dying to see w^hat Clara means to 
give. She said it would be only paper. 

Mud. [Tb Salome. ] It's a check, my love. Nothing so 
soothing in the world as a good check. 

Sal. I'll have to check you, sir. Poor, dear Clara will 
be left here all forlorn and I do believe she will half beg- 
gar herself to help us. [Exeunt all L. , laughing and 
merry. ] 

Enter Fogge at R. Dress suit. 

Fog. {Solus.'] It's the toughest affair I ever got into. 
The boy would surrender all his property, and now he's 
dead in love with the girl and can't marry her because 
she's so rich — on his money. The wisdom of these 
young people is enough to turn a dry, old sugar-cane like 
me into molasses. {Looks off. ] Here comes one of the 
innocents now. 

Enter Clara, in evening dress, at hack. 

Cla. {Offering her hand. '\ This is an unexpected pleas- 
ure, Mr. Fogge. I thought you intended to sail for home 



28 The Triple Wedding. 

a week ago. I'm g-lad to welcome you to our double wed- 
ding. 

Fog. Thanke, Miss. I'm happy to be here — that is, 
as happy as a man can be with bad — bad news. 

Cla. {Alarmed.] What has happened, sir.? Oh! you 
have news from the boy 1 

Fog. You've said it. Plaguey rough, miserable news. 
The fact is, Miss Sturgis, I have found the boy. [Clara 
sits, overcome with alarm. ] Bear up, my dear young lady. 
You must bear up. I assure you the boy is not like his 
father. He is more concerned about you than you need 
be about him. 

Cla. Tell me about him. Is he poor.? Is he suf- 
fering for anything } Poor child. He need not fear me. 

Fog. Oh, I don't think he does. 

Cla. I will send a carriage for him as soon as the wed- 
ding is over. Poor boy. I hope he has good, warm 
clothes this cold weather. 

Fog. {Aside.^^ Poor little devil — in a dress suit. 
\^Direct.'\ I've an idea. Why not send for him now .? He's 
not far away, and I'm sure he would be greatly pleased to 
see his cousins married. 

Cla. {^Rises.'\ Yes, do. Take a carriage at once and 
bring him here. Bring him right to me. Oh, I am so 
glad we have found him ! Is he a bright boy — a hand- 
some, manly little fellow .? I feel I could take him right 
into my arms and kiss him. 

Fog. {^Aside.'] Just what the poor devil would like. 
[Direct.'] I'm sure, Miss, this does you the greatest credit. 
I'll go for the — the heir at once. We'll soon be here. 
[^Moves to R. ] Keep the supper warm for us. 

Cla. Everything shall wait till you return. Stay a 
moment. You know why I took the money. Tell him I 
shall return it all. Tell him 1 have searched for him and 



TJie Triple Wedding. 29 

welcome him. Tell him — no, bring- him to me. I'll tell 
him all myself. 

Fog. That's the best way. He is a noble, generous 
fellow, and I really believe he loves you already. 

Cla. Oh, I'm very glad ! I shall love him dearly. 

Fog. \_Aside.\ I've done it this time. [Direci.] Ask the 
bridal parties to wait. It will do 'em good to meditate 
on the situation. [Exit Fogge, R.] 

Cla. [Solus.^ Poor girls ! I hope they will not be dis- 
appointed. yXakes out two checks.^ I'm very glad I did 
not give them the presents. The money rightfully 
belongs to the boy, and he shall have it. Sisters are 
all right. They have their husbands, and I can easily earn 
a living. \_Ptits checks into pocket. ] 

Enter Daudle a?id Cecely a7id Muddle and Salome at back, 
talking and laughing together. 

Cec. [To Clara.] Oh, Clara, the guests are arrivmg 
in crowds ! I never knew we had so many friends in the 
world. 

Sal. I'm sure when we lived in the Harlem flats not a 
soul ever came near us. 

Cla. I fear, dearies, we shall have to delay matters for a 
few moments. There is one guest who has not arrived, 
and we canot go on without him. 

Cec. [To Clara.] I'm sure, sister, we need not wait 
for Mr. Greenfield. Frederick says he never goes out now 
that he has lost his money. 

Cla. I do not expect Mr. Greenfield, though he has been 
invited to come. He is too busy earning an honest living. 
The expected guest is your cousin. 

Sal. [^Surprised. ] Oh, impossible ! 

Cec. [Startled.] Well, I never ! 



30 The Triple Wedding. 

Daud. {^Alarmed. ] Not the lost child ? 

Cla. The lost boy and heir of all the property. 

Mud. I can't see how he can have the face to appear 
here. He hasn't a shadow of claim on the money. The 
servants should be instructed 

Cla. {^Interrupts him.'] The servants will welcome him, 
Mr. Muddle, whether he has a right to the money or not. 
He is my cousin, and I shall give him the money as soon 
as he asks for it. {To Salome.] Salome, come with me 
to the supper room. Everything must wait. [To Cecely.] 
Cecely, you and Mr. Daudle may remain here till we re- 
turn. [Exit Clara, followed by Salome and Muddle, both 
miserable, at back. ] 

Daud. Well, now. I — I — really, I don't see how we 
can go on. 

Cec. [Sharply.] What.? 

Daud. Now, Cecely Sturgis, you needn't take me up in 
that style. It's not my fault that the miserable wretch of a 
boy has been found. 

Cec. Why, who said it was.? He's my cousin, and I 
dare say he's a very good little boy. I dare say he knows 
better than to insinuate such dreadful things. 

Daud. I hardly know how to express myself under 
these trying circumstances. 

Cec. [Angry and beginning to cry.] For mercy's sake, 
Mr. Daudle, what are you talking about } It will soon be 
over, and you said only a few moments ago that you en- 
joyed being married. 

Daud. Oh ! bother style. Can't you see, Cecely, if this 
wretched child has been found, he will claim all the 
money, and Clara, like a fool 

Cec. [ Veiy angry. ] Like a what, sir } 

Daud. [Meekly.] Like a good girl, will give it to him, 
and then what shall we do .? 



The Triple Wedding. 31 

Cec. Do ? Be married and go to housekeeping. 

Daud. Housekeeping ! Oh, Lord I I haven't a cent. 
I thought you — no — Clara — would do the handsome 
thing. 

Cec. You mean you can't support me, and you want to 
back out.'' 

Daud. [/« despair. \ That's it, Cecely. 

Cec. Well, sir, you cant back out. The minister is here 
and we must go on, if it kills us. [/// changed manner. ^^ 
Haven't you a single dollar in your pocket } 

Daud. Oh, of course I've got something. About two 
hundred dollars, to pay the minister and our wedding 
trip. 

Cec. Give the minister ten. I'll ask Clara to let us stay 
here to-night— I never did approve of wedding trips — and 
to-morrow we'll take what you have left and hire a cheap 
fiat up-town and get a few things. You can write for the 
papers and I keep house and do the marketing. 

Daud. \Pleased.'\ No, I'll do the marketing. Of course, 
we'll put out the washing. 

Cec. Yes, we'll put out the washing and I'll do the 
cooking and make the 

Daud. [^Embracing her. '\ Oh, Cecely, what a treasure you 
are ! How could I think of leaving you .? 

Cec. [Pushing him off and brushing dress. ^\^ Don't crush 
me. It's a lovely material, and I shall take off the trim- 
mings and use it for a street dress. It will turn beautifully, 
and I'll make it over for a house dress for next year. We 
can get a brass-mounted — oh, and I know where to get the 
kitchen things very cheap. 

Daud. [Kisses her.] We shall be very happy, my 
love. 

Cec. Oh, very — particularly if we get brass-finished — 
[Sees Salome entering.] Oh — 



32 The Triple Wedding, 

Enter Salome, crying billerly, at hack, 

Sal. \Cryi7ig.'\ Oh! Oh! 

Cec. Mercy, Salome! What is the matter? Have you 
torn your dress ? 

Sal. Oh, Clifton says — says he— he can't — can't sup- 
port — can't support me ! Oh, dear ! 

Daud. This is infamous. You must appeal to the law, 
and sue him for breach of promise. 

Sal. Oh, no; I couldn't — I wouldn't submit it to a jury 
for the world. 

Enter Muddle, at back, disgusted. 

Cec. [To Daudle.] My love, let us go see Clara about 
that matter. [To Salome, J ^ Tell him you love him, you 
little goose. [Exeunt Cecely and Daudle R. ] 

Sal. [Sobbing, to Muddle.] You're a — mean-spirited 
thing, and I hate you. All you wanted was Clara's 
money. 

Mud. I confess, Miss Salome, I did hope Clara would 
do something. 

Sal. I think it would be more creditable if you did some- 
thing yourself. 

Mud. I'm not quite a fool, Salome. I can earn some- 
thing if I must; but [dejectedly] it will be very hard— very 
hard. 

Sal. Can't you give up cigars and your span and your 
club .? 

Mud. Oh, come now ! You're hard on a fellow. 

Sal. It's no harder on you than on me. I haven't a 
dollar, but I can work. I can make my own dresses and 
copy your law papers — do anything. 

Mud. [Earnestly.] Can you make plain cake .^^ 



The Triple Wedding. 33 

Sal. I can make bread, sir. I can go without cake and 
be happy. Besides, I can broil a steak to a turn. 

Mud. [Kisses her.] What a treasure you are, my love ! 
I thought you wanted to board. 

Sal. I hate boarding. Housekeeping is much cheaper; 
besides, a boarding-house is horrid for children. 

Enter Cecely i?. 

Cec. Oh, Salome, the parlor is just packed. Clara says 
we must go to the library at once and be ready to go on. 
Oh, Mr. Muddle, Fred and I are going to housekeeping. 
Isn't it jolly ? Fred says he is twice a man already. 

Sal. [Takes Muddle's ar?ft.] Just what Clifton thinks. 
We don't care a penny for the money. Come, it's time to 
take the fatal leap, and good-bye to girlhood forever. 
[Exeunt a// R. ] 

Enter Clara at back. 

Cla. [Solus.] I am sick with apprehension. If the child 
should prove to be some half starved, ill bred youngster, 
I should die with mortification. [Looks at watch.] I hope 
they will come soon. I can't keep the people waiting 
much longer. 

Enter Greenfield in dress suit L . 

Green. [Offers hand to Clara.] Good evening, Miss 
Sturgis. I trust I am not too late } 

Cla. [Eagerly.] Oh, Mr. Greenfield, I'm very glad you 
have come. I have most important news. The boy has 
been found. Mr. Fogge is to bring him here. I have de- 
layed the wedding till he arrives. 

Green. [Quite cool] And how does the news affect 
you } 

Cla. Oh ! I do not care. I'm glad the trust is over. 
[Shows checks.] See, there are two checks, each for a 



34 The Triple Wedding, 

third of.the property. I meant to give them to my sisters 
as a wedding present. Poor girls ! I'm sorry for them. 
{Gives him checks.'] You take them. Keep them for the 
boy. I want you to be his guardian. 

Green. [Takes checks.] I'd be dehghted to take care of 
the Httle fellow. I'm quite accustomed to that sort of thing. 

Cla. What are you doing now } It seems so long since 
we met. 

Green. [Twisting up checks.] Oh, I'm all right now. 
I've just come into a very good property. 

Cla. Why, take care; you'll ruin those checks, and they 
are valuable. 

Green. [Kisses checks.] Yes, quite precious; and I'm 
glad of it, for they enable me to say that I have long 
wished you to be my wife. I am no longer the waif from 
the asylum ! 

Cla. Oh, Monday ! you know I always loved you; only 
this wretched business came between us. 

Green. [Kisses her. ] No, it has brought us together. 

Enter Daudle a7id Salome and Cecely and Muddle R. 

Sal. [To Clara.] Really, Clara, we ought to go on. 
The people will wonder what is the matter. 

Cla. Presently, dearies. First I have to present you to 
my husband. [Presents Greenfield.] Mr. Greenfield, 
your brother, sisters. [The young people how rather indif- 
ferently to Greenfield.] 

Green. Wait a moment, I have a duty to the brides. 
[Gives each a check.] There's a trifle from your sister to 
help you in setting up housekeeping. 

Daud, [To Greenfield.] I hardly know in what style 
to thank you, sir. 

Green. Oh, never mind style. A man who means busi- 
ness makes his own style. 



The Triple Wedding. 35 

Mud. [71? Greenfield.] The legal complications of the 
case make it difficult for me — for me to — 

Green. I suppose your marriage certificate is sealed, my 
boy } 

Mud. Signed and sealed with love, sir. 

Green. Well turned, my son. You're more of a man 
than a lawyer. [During all this Clara has observed Green- 
field with increasing surprise. Conies to centre and takes 
his arm. J 

Cla. What does this mean, Monday .? Why have you 
given my cousin's money to my sisters .? 

Green. My love, that is all right. Do you not yet under- 
stand .? 

Cla. {^Breaks away from him and 7noves to L.^ No, no; I 
do not understand. Mr. Fogge told me the boy had been 
found. 

Green. The boy ! The boy has been found.? 

Cla. Certainly. My cousin. My uncle's son. Mr. 
Fogge has found the child and has gone to get him and 
bring him to me. 

Green. {^Surprised.'] Is it possible there is some mis- 
take.? Why, Clara — cousin — wife, I am the boy. [Muddle 
and Daudle laugh insolently, but are checked by Cecely 
and Salome.] 

Cla, [Surprised.'] You! Why, it's a boy. He is coming 
herein a moment. [Looks off L.] Here is Mr. Fogge now 
with the dear child. 

Enter Fogge Z. 

Cla. [7b Fogge.] Where is the child — my cousin.? Why 
have you not brought him.? 

Fogge. I have. He's here. 

All. Here! 

Fogge. Why, yes. He's certainly in the house some- 
where. What's the trouble.? 



36 The Triple Wedding, 

Green. Trouble enough, sir. You say you have found 
the child. Then, who am I.? And who are you, sir.? 
What evidence have we that you ever saw my father 1 
Perhaps you are only his pard and accomplice. I wish 
you were my father himself, that I might strike you dead 
with my righteous indignation. Why did your client aban- 
don my mother.? [Fogge is silent.^ Why don't you speak, 
man .? What have you to say for yourself in this miserable 
business .? 

Fogge. I think the property is pretty good credentials. 

Green. What is the good of the property if it leaves me 
the son of a waif without name or reputation } 

Cla. \_To Greenfield.] Monday ! You know I love you. 
It makes no difference to my heart who you are. 

Fogge. My son ! 

Green. Don't call me your son. I am no son of yours. 
I have no father; I utterly repudiate him. 

Fogge. {^Slowly pidls off wig7\ My son ! My punish- 
ment is greater than I can bear. Forgive me ! {Takes out 
paper.'] Here is your mother's marriage certificate. I am 
your father. 

Cla. {Suddenly embracing Fogge and puiling one arm 
around his neck. ] Uncle ! Uncle Edward ! 

Fogge. [ With one arm around her and extending the 
other hand to Greenfield. 7<9 Clara.] There! there, deary! 
I know all about it. I congratulate you both with ail my 
dusty old heart. 'Pears to me I was asked to a double 
wedding. Why not make it a triple event.? [To Green- 
field. ] Permit me to present my niece — -your wife. 

Tableau. 

Fogge. 

Green. Clara 

Salome. Cecely. 

Daudle. Muddle. 

Curtain. 



THE ETHIOPIAN DRAMA. 



t Robert Make-Ain. 
■ Box and Cox. 

3 Mazeppa. 

4 United States Mail. 

5 The Coopers. 

6 Old Dad's Cabin. 

7 The Rival Lovers. 

8 The Sham Doctor. 

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10 Villikins and bis Dinah. 

1 1 The Quack Doctor. 
It The Mystic Spell. 

13 The Black Statue. 

14 Uncle Jeff, 

15 The Mischievous Nigger, 

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17 The Magic Penny, 
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19 Oh, Hush ; or, The Vir- 

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to The Portrait Painter, 
31 The Hop of Fashion. 
33 Bone Squash, 
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24 Thieves at the Mill, 
as Comedy of Errors. 

26 Les Miserables. 

27 New Year's Calls. 

38 Troublesome Servant. 
99 Great Arrival. 

30 Rooms to Let. 

31 Black Crook Burlesque. 
33 Ticket Taker. 

33 Hypochondriac. 

34 William TeU. 

35 Rose Dale. 

36 Feast. 

37 Fenian Spy. 

38 Jack's the Lad. 

39 Othello. 



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50 Corsican Twins. 

51 Deaf— in a Horn. 
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55 16,000 Years Ago, 

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69 Porgy Joe. 

70 Gallus Jake. 

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75 Mysterious Stranger. 



THE AMATEUR AND VARIETY STAGE 



Dr 



7« De Debbil and 

Faustum. 

77 De Old Gum Game. 

78 Hunk's Wedding Day. 

79 De Octoroon. 

80 De Old Kentucky Homa 

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82 Mum bo Jum. 

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94 Dat Same Ole Cooa. 

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leo De Maid ob ds Hitak- 

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io3 Aunty chloe. 
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no Julianna Johnson. 
Ill An Unhappy Pair. 



de 



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Caught in his own Toils. 
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A. Drama in Kive^ Acxs 

Price7^^c„.1016 211 435 9 




Nine male, three female characters, viz.: Leading and Second Juvenile Men, 
Old Man, Genteel Villain, Walking Gentleman, First and Second Light Comedians, 
Heavy Character, Low Comedian, Leading and Second Juvenile Ladies and Comic 
Old Maid. Time of playing, Two hours and a half. 

SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS. 



Act L Love vs. Impulse.— D oiler- 
clutch's office. — A fruitless journey, a 
keap of accumulated business and a 
chapter of unparalleled impudence.— 
News from the front. — A poor girl's 
trouble and a lawyer's big heart. — Hil- 
da's sad story. — " I '11 see this thing 
through if it costs me a fortune ! " — A 
sudden departure in search of a clue. — 
The meeting of friends. — One of nature's 
noblemen. — Maitland betrays his secret 
by a slip of the tongue. — The ball at 
ifeeachwood. — Two spooneys.f resh from 
college.lose their heads and their hearts. 
— "Squashed, by Jupiter ! '—Trusting 
innocence and polished villainy. — The 
interrupted tryst. — An honest man's 
avowal. — A picture of charming simpli- 
city. — Murdell and Hilda meet face to 
face. — "I dare you to make another 
victim !" — ^A scoundrel's discomfiture. — 
Tableau. 

ActIL The Separation. — ^The Mait- 
land homestead. — Anastasia's doubts. — 
A warm welcome and its icy reception. 
— Forebodings and doubts. — Father and 
son . — Searching questions. —A domestic 
storm and a parent's command. — A 
foiled villain's wrath. — Enlisting for the 
war. — The collapse of the cowards. — 
" It 's no use, 'Dolphy, the jig 's up !" — 
Hilda's sympathy and Adrienne's silent 
despair. — The result of impulse. — The 
father pleads for his son.— Anastasia 
and Dolierclutch. — Coriolanus comes to 
grief. — Gobd and bad news. — Husband 
and wife.— Reginald demands an ex- 
planation. — A hand without a heart. — 
The separation. — A new recruit. — Too 
late; the roll is signed. — Tableau. 

Act III. Duty vs. Impulse.— Four 
vears later. — A camp in the army. — 
Longings. — "Only six miles from 
home!" — The skeleton in the closet. — 
A father's yearning for his child. — A 
woman-hater in love. — DoUerclutch's 
dream. — A picture of camp life and fun. 
— Coriolanus has his revenge. — News 
from home. — Dolierclutch makes a big 
find. "Eureka!" — Proofs of Hilda's 
parentage and marriage. — A happy old 



lawyer. — "I '11 take them to Hilda ! " — 
Detailed for duty. — A soldier's tempta- 
tion. — ^The sentinel deserts his post. — 
The snake in the grass. — "At last, I caa 
humble his pride ! " 

Act IV. The Reconciliation and 
Sequel.— At Reginald's home. — News 
from the army. — " Grant is not the man 
to acknowledge defeat !" — Adrienne and 
Hilda. — False pride is broken. — The re- 
conciliation. — " Will Reginald forgive 
me?" — Dolierclutch brings joy to Hil- 
da's heart. — "You are the daughter of 
Morris Maitland !" — The stolen docu- 
ments and the snake in the grass. — 
"Hang me if I don't see this thing 
through !"— A letter to the absent one. — 
Face to face. — The barrier of pride 
swept dowli. — "Reginald, I love you; 
come back!"— The happy reunion.— An 
ominous cloud.— "I have deserted my 
post ; the penalty is death. I must re- 
turn ere my absence is discovered !" — 
The wolf in the sheepfold. — A \ri\j 
tempter foiled. — A villain's rage. — 
" Those words have sealed your doom !" 
— The murder and the escape. — 
Dolierclutch arrives too late. — The pur- 
suit. 

Act V. Divine Impulse. — In camp. — 
Maitland on duty. — The charge of de- 
sertion and the examination. — "I knew 
not what I did !" — The colonel's lenity. — 
Disgrace. — News of Adrienne's murder 
is Drought to camp. — Circumstantial 
evidence fastens the murder iipon Reg- 
inald. — The court-martial. — Convicted 
and sentenced to be shot. — Preparations 
for the execution. — ' God knows I am 
innocent ! " — Dolierclutch arrives in the 
nick of time.— t" If you shoot that man 
you commit murder!" — The beginning 
of the end. — "Adrienne lives!" — A vil- 
lain's terror. — Adrienne appears on the 
scene. — " There is the attempted assas- 
sin !" — Divine impulse. — The reward of 
innocence and the punishment of vil- 
lainy. — Good news. — " Hurrah, the war 
is over; Lee has surrendered to Grant!" 
— The happy denouement and^nalg. — 
Tableau. 



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